Nika Generation award announces winners

On May 19, the birthday of the late artist Nika (Veronika) Kozhushko, the winners of the Nika Generation award were announced.

Yelyzaveta Tepliakova received the award in literature, while Kateryna Nosal won in the painting category.

The Aza Nizi Maza art studio presented a special Nika Generation award to Kupava Nadtochii. Organizers also awarded a prize in a special military category to Veronika Khmelivska and Vladyslav Malyshev.

“My life is devoted to preserving the memory of my daughter,” said Kozhushko’s father, Ihor Kozhushko. “I will continue to take part in organizing this award.”

According to the award’s manager, Miliena Lyashenko, organizers received 246 applications this year, a 45% increase from last year. The cash prize for young Ukrainian artists and writers amounts to 40,000 UAH.

The award was established in 2024 in memory of artist and poet Veronika Kozhushko and other talented Ukrainian children killed by Russia, and recognizes Ukrainian artists and writers ages 16 to 21 for “a creative spirit of restlessness, courage, and compassion.” Organizers present two main awards each year: one in literature and one in visual arts.

In 2025, organizers published “Time to Start the Tango,” a collection of Kozushko’s works.

Veronika Kozhushko was a Kharkiv artist, painter and poet who was an active participant in the cultural life of the city, collaborating with the literary museum and the Slovo Residence, creating illustrations for works by Ukrainian poets and drawing portraits of writers on tote bags. Kozhushko supported the Ukrainian military by organizing fundraisers on her Instagram page, took part in apartment exhibitions at the Slovo House, where she displayed her works. Kozhushko died on Aug. 30, 2024, during a missile attack on Kharkiv; she was 18.

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